I think I found out what the problem is!!!!
(excuse my enthusiasm, I've been dealing w/ crappy shifting in my new $3k built transmission for 2 years now)
The clutch disc is warped. I believe it happened one of the times I was installing the transmission. I accidentally let the weight of the transmission rest on the clutch disc via the input shaft before I could bolt it to the block.
Well, now that I've replaced EVERYTHING related to the clutch and transmission and I now know how to install it w/o screwing up the clutch disc I think I might have a smooth shifting transmission. That is, if I haven't screwed up my synchros from driving around w/ a dragging clutch.
Once I get a new clutch disc and put it all in on Monday I'll update you guys.